When the first Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1945, the year of the brand’s 40th anniversary, it entered history as the first automatic water-resistant certified chronometer with a date on the dial. The “Cyclops” was added in 1955 in order to magnify the date display two and a half times, making the date indication more legible and clear, and this feature became one of the most recognisable hallmarks of Rolex in general.
In 2009, Rolex introduced the Rolex Datejust II. This line of watches offers the characteristics of the original and emblematic Rolex Datejust in a more simplified and modern design, while also including new innovations. One of the most significant differences between the Rolex Datejust and the Rolex Datejust II is, of course, the size – the new one is 41 mm, significantly larger and following the new trends for larger watch cases. The other difference is the movement – the Datejust II has the honour of carrying inside it the calibre 3136, created by the brand exclusively for this model – an in-house movement with Paraflex anti-shock protection, Parachrom hairspring, COSC-certified chronometer status, 48 hours of power reserve and operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
It is no coincidence that the Datejust is the most popular and recognisable model of the brand after the cult Submariner – and the Datejust II allows this popularity to be presented in a contemporary interpretation. This particular watch comes in a very rare and very hard-to-find combination – champagne dial with diamond hour markers.
The detail of this watch, as indeed of all modern Rolex watches we have had the opportunity to examine, is truly impressive. It is no coincidence that the Datejust is the most popular and recognisable model of the brand after the cult Submariner – and the Datejust II allows this popularity to be presented in a contemporary interpretation. Starting with the incredible dial – in the watch presented here, this is what Rolex call the “Champagne-colour dial”, while in addition, 10 high-quality diamonds have been added in place of the hour markers. A closer look reveals jewellery-level craftsmanship, while the overall impression is very aristocratic.
Moving on to the classic sapphire with “Cyclops” – in this case, the highest class of the brand’s sapphire has been used, which has allowed the overall height of the watch to be reduced compared with its predecessors. Of course, separate attention must be paid to the case and bezel – an aristocratic combination of brushed 904L steel of the highest class and solid 18-carat yellow gold, with faceted polished edges and details in certain places; as you know, Rolex pay special attention to the steel they use and, for this purpose, have their own foundries for the production of all their alloys. The bezel is in the brand’s characteristic “fluted” style, which gives it an incredible presence and has nothing in common with the other Datejust II with the “smooth bezel” – they are simply different watches. This one has a killer presence on your wrist, while the fact that the bezel is made of 18-carat gold further reinforces the overall impression!
And of course, the bracelet, strap, chain or whatever you prefer to call it – as one would expect from a Rolex, it is genuinely good... In this case, we are talking about the new bracelet with a solid centre link made of 18-carat gold and a massive clasp made from a single piece of steel, not from bent sheet metal as with most brands. The only thing it lacks, but only in our opinion, is the GlideLock clasp of the Sub, although here we do have the so-called EasyLink, which allows micro-adjustment by an additional 5 mm. The lug width is 20 mm, this particular bracelet has 11 links and will fit a wrist of up to 19.5 cm.
The watch is truly impressive and has classic Rolex style, with the precious materials used, because in this watch everything that is yellow is gold, the fluted bezel and the fact that it is a true Datejust…
